Beginners Guide to Recreational

The Recreational Division was introduced at the start of 2014 with the specific mission of allowing people to participate in DanceSport events without the expense of costumes and private tuition.

Prior to 2014 DanceSport Australia had a ‘Level 1’ section which was part of the Amateur Division, essentially the Recreational Division replaces this old ‘Level 1’ section. Whilst the old ‘Level 1’ section allowed people to experience DanceSport without the cost of competition attire it had a fatal flaw and that was if a couple won they would elevate into ‘Level 2’ and be forced to purchase costumes. This approach caused many competitors to drop by the wayside. Congratulated for the win and then being told that you cannot compete until you bought a set of ‘Tails’ or that ‘Gown’ was too much for many dancers and their parents.

What are some of the differences ....

Competition Organisers can now run DanceSport Australia events where only one person in the partnership is being judged, for example a ‘Boy’ or ‘Girl’ event and these competitors will receive Points. In the past all DanceSport Australia events were ‘couple’ events. This allows for people who do not have regular partners to participate. In the Amateur and Professional divisions the definition of a ‘couple’ is a male and female, this definition does not apply to the Recreational Division. Two girls can compete in a ‘couples’ event and both receive Points. This change supports many of our Dance Studios who have more girls in classes than boys.

Registered DanceSport Australia studios (they are officially called Registered Teaching Facilities, RTFs) administer the Recreational Division. These RTFs are accredited by DanceSport Australia and this allows them maintain their own student registration in house, easy inexpensive and on-line. Yes there is a small registration fee for joining the Recreational Division but it is far less than what people paid previously to join the old ‘Level 1’ in the Amateur Division.

Age Groups are organised by the year of birth and not the actual birth date. Parents would know that this is the same for the education system throughout Australia. Importantly the Age Group that a child starts the calendar year with will be the Age Group that the child finishes that calendar year in. This gives consistency for all competitors (and parents) knowing that a partnership, or that juvenile dress, will be valid for the entire year - at least from an Age Group perspective.

How to join the Recreational Division ....

That's simple, just contact one of DanceSport Australia's RTFs. Click on the graphic below below to find an RTF in your State an get out there and dance.

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